Literary Devices PDF

Literary Devices Figurative Language is also called figures of speech. It changes the literal meaning of words to express complexity, to capture a physical or sensory effect, or to extend meaning. There are a number of figures of speech. Some of the more common ones are: Simile Making a comparison b...

Literary Devices Figurative Language is also called figures of speech. It changes the literal meaning of words to express complexity, to capture a physical or sensory effect, or to extend meaning. There are a number of figures of speech. Some of the more common ones are: Simile Making a comparison between unlike things, using “like” or “as.” Forrest Gump’s famous simile is “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.” Metaphor Making a comparison between unlike things without the use “like” or “as.” An example is, “Your eyes are the windows to your soul.” – Immanuel Kant. Hyberbole An exaggeration. For example: I told you a million times to be quiet. You never speak to me. The teacher gave us tons of work. Personification Giving human qualities to an animal, thing or idea. The wind screamed my name. The window flew open. The book jumped out of my locker. Theme A theme is the main idea of a story, or the message the author is conveying. This message is usually about life, society or human nature. Flashbacks A scene in a narrative that returns to an earlier time. Irony is a literary device for conveying meaning by saying the exact opposite of what is really meant. (Sarcasm is one kind of irony. It is praise which is really an insult. Sarcasm generally involves malice, the desire to put someone down, for example “This is my brilliant son who failed out of college.” Plot is the fuel of the story. It is the way the story itself is structured. Elements of plot include: Exposition Central Conflict Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution Mood Mood is the emotion that YOU feel while you’re reading. Some literature makes you feel sad, others joyful, still others angry. Style refers to how something is said in literature. A writer’s style can be formal, informal, poetic, etc. Voice is the author’s style of writing. Does the author use extensive use of figurative language? Does the author write with a unique style? Tone The attitude an author takes toward the audience, subject or character. The tone is conveyed through the author’s words and details. Think of when someone says, “Don’t use that tone with me!” Your tone can change the meaning of what you say.